Kyoto’s Kawaramachi area, close to Gion and Nishiki Market, is usually filled with tourists. But the good news is the area is heaven for vegans and vegetarians! It is where many of Kyoto’s vegan and vegan-friendly cafés and restaurants are located. Whether you feel like Japanese or Western cuisine, you can surely find a restaurant that can satisfy you!
Vegan-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants Around Kawaramachi in Kyoto
- The below restaurants can prepare your mail without using pungent ingredients such as garlic.
- AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO (アインソフ ジャーニー)
- Have gluten-free options.
- hale (hale~晴~)
- KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN (京都炎神)
- Have gluten-free options.
- Semmaruya Honten (千丸屋本店 京湯葉鍋)
- Have gluten-free options.
- mumokuteki Cafe（ムモクテキカフェ）
- AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO (アインソフ ジャーニー)
- Micasadeco & Cafe Kyoto (ミカサデコ＆カフェ京都)
AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO (アインソフ ジャーニー)
AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO is where you visit for vegan burgers, curry rice, taco rice, and amazingly presented Western-style plates. Each of their savory dishes comes with pesticide-free vegetables that are perfect for those seeking a healthy meal. Not only is the menu completely vegan and gluten-free, but if you dislike food cooked with any pungent ingredients such as garlic and alcohol, a few of their main dishes can be prepared without them!
The burgers are the most popular among the items on the main menu. Whether the vegan cheddar cheese or the soy meat that resembles real meat perfectly, it is heaven in a burger. Regarding the side dishes, make sure you try their Veggie Karaage (ベジミート唐揚げ). While the meat was made from vegetables, inside the crispy skin is vegan meat as juicy as normal Karaage!
For dessert, how about ordering a Matcha Pancake (抹茶のパンケーキ)? It is AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO’s limited edition dish. The pancakes made with plenty of organic matcha powder are covered in rich white chocolate and matcha sauce. If you don’t like matcha’s bitterness, order a piece of their New York Cheesecake. It will surely blow your mind, especially with the blueberry sauce.
You can refer to their website HERE to view the menu in advance.
AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO’s Business Hours and Access Information
- AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO is open from
- 11:30 am to 5 pm, with the last order taken at 4 pm
- 6 pm to 8 pm, with the last order taken at 7 pm
- When the café only opens for lunch, the business hours are 10 am to 4 pm, with the last order taken at 3 pm.
- Refer to their website HERE for the days it only opens for lunch and reserving.
- The restaurant is just a 2-minute walk from Hankyu’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (京都河原町駅).
hale (hale~晴~)
Although Nishiki Market (錦市場) in Kyoto might seem filled with meat and seafood, there are still a few vegan/vegetarian choices. hale is one of them. The small restaurant selling Yubadon (湯葉丼) has a homey atmosphere that might remind you of the warmth of your grandmother’s house. After all, the place was passed down three generations. In addition, hale is a vegan spot that can also exclude pungent ingredients, such as onion and garlic.
The lunch set menu, Yubadon Set (湯葉丼セット), includes Yubadon (Tofu skin rice bowl with mushrooms), chilled tofu with toppings from Hattori Tofu Shop (服部豆腐屋), a cup of tea brewed from tea leaves from Kyoto’s infamous tea shop Ippōdō (一保堂), and a few side dishes. Instead of white rice, brown and purple rice is used, making your meal extra healthy. They also try to use as many organic ingredients as possible.
While tofu skin might not sound too exciting, hale made it delicious. You wouldn’t even realize you are eating vegan food if you weren’t told!
Tips:
☛ hale is located at the end of a really narrow arcade that you will likely walk past. If you can’t find your way, check with the nearby shops.
☛ As the restaurant is small, you can call them at +81-75-231-2516 to reserve.
hale’s Business Hours and Access Information
- hale is open from 10 am to 12 pm to 2 pm to 4 pm from Thursday to Sunday.
- The restaurant is just a 2-minute walk from Hankyu’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (京都河原町駅) or a 4-minute walk from Kyoto Subway’s Karasuma Oike Station (烏丸御池駅).
KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN (京都炎神)
Another restaurant close to Nishiki Market is KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN. The ramen place on the second floor has a couple of vegan and vegetarian options and can exclude seasoning made from pungent vegetables such as garlic. They also have gluten-free noodles if you have celiac disease.
If you like corn soup, order the KYOTO BEANing RAMEN. The rich and creamy miso-based broth somehow tastes like it. For those who prefer spicy things, go with the Zesty Ramen, but note it has a strong onion taste. They also have pan-fried vegetable dumplings, so if you want to be like a local and have both ramen and gyozas in one meal, it is possible at KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN!
Like many restaurants in Japan, orders are made using a vending machine at the door. You then hand over the ticket from the machine to the staff. And don’t worry, the machine at KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN has English notations. You can also ask for an English menu.
Tip: KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN is a popular restaurant. Expect a queue that lasts as long as an hour during normal dinner time.
KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN’s Business Hours and Access Information
- KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN is open daily from 4:30 pm to 10 pm.
- The restaurant is just a 2-minute walk from Hankyu’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (京都河原町駅) or a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Subway’s Karasuma Station (烏丸駅).
Semmaruya Honten (千丸屋本店 京湯葉鍋)
One of Kyoto‘s most famous specialties is tofu. Whether it is tofu skin (Yuba, 湯葉) or bean curd, the soy products in the ancient city are praised for being the best in Japan. And close to Nishiki Market, there is a Kyo-Yuba hot pot restaurant with vegan and gluten-free options. You can also ask the restaurant to exclude pungent ingredients like garlic.
While many restaurants in Kyoto serve tofu dishes, you can hardly find one run by a Yuba maker who opened two centuries ago. Since its establishment in 1804, Semmaruya’s Yuba, made using well water, has been highly sought after by the head temples of each sect in Japan. So if you don’t have time or forget to reserve a Shōjin Ryōri course in a temple, visit Semmaruya for a Yuba hot pot course!
The last part of the hot pot set menu is the dessert. The soy milk used to make the Yuba is seasoned with agar jelly added. Different from the soy milk sold in supermarkets, the soy milk used for the dessert is light yet rich and has a delicate taste!
Although hot pot may not sound like something you would feel like in Kyoto’s muggy summer, Semmaruya’s Yuba Hot Pot is what you will enjoy regardless of the season. The hot pot is light and refreshing, plus the air conditioner is on!
In addition to the tofu skin in the hot pot, the rice that comes with it is also cooked with Yuba. You can clearly tell the Yuba made by Semmaruya is freshly made. The fresh soybean scent spreads when you put it in your mouth. Dip the tofu skin in the specially-made kelp dip for the second mouthful. The two different flavors complement each other very well.
The service at the restaurant is excellent, and the staff usually speak good English. They will explain the best way to enjoy Yuba and let you know which options suit your dietary requirements.
Tips:
☛ If you enjoy the Yuba at Semmaruya, you can purchase the dried Yuba to bring home. The characteristic of dried Yuba is that it becomes delicious by absorbing the soup cooked from various ingredients. Remember to check with the staff for the Yuba recipes you can bring home!
☛ A reservation is recommended, especially if you plan to visit Semmaruya Honten on weekends and public holidays. You can send them a message by filling in the web form HERE. It can be translated using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
Semmaruya Honten’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Semmaruya Honten is open from 10:30 am to 6 pm from Thursday to Tuesday.
- The last order is taken at 3 pm.
- Semmaruya Honten is closed from the 31st of December to the 3rd of January.
- The restaurant is just a 4-minute walk from Hankyu’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (京都河原町駅) or a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Subway’s Karasuma Station (烏丸駅).
Micasadeco & Cafe Kyoto (ミカサデコ＆カフェ京都)
For fluffy ricotta pancakes, visit Micasadeco & Café Kyoto. The vegetarian café with a gorgeous little garden is popular among the locals. Although it may seem to be a traditional café as it was renovated from an old house completed more than 100 years ago, the space beyond the door is like a different world!
You can refer to their menu HERE beforehand.
Micasadeco & Café Kyoto is best known for its matcha-infused pancakes and desserts, but note the desserts contain egg and dairy. While its dessert menu isn’t vegan, a couple of savory dishes are! For example, the barbeque soy meat on the beautifully presented Yakiniku Bowl (焼肉丼) has the perfect balance of sweetness and savouriness.
Micasadeco & Cafe Kyoto’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Micasadeco & Cafe Kyoto is open daily from
- 11 am to 5 pm on weekdays
- 11 am to 6 pm on weekends and public holidays
- The last order is taken 30 minutes before closing time.
- The restaurant is just a 3-minute walk from Hankyu’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (京都河原町駅) or a 10-minute walk from Keihan’s Gion-Shijo Station (祇園四条駅).
mumokuteki Cafe（ムモクテキカフェ）
Just a 2-minute walk from hale, mumokuteki consists of an antique shop in the basement, a vintage lifestyle store on the ground floor, and a stylish vegan café on the 2nd floor. It is where you can find the vegan version of many non-vegan dishes commonly found in Japan’s restaurants, such as hamburger steak meal sets. The food here is cooked from the rice and vegetables grown on the company’s farms, so the salad is crisp and the fruit is sweet!
You might have seen the videos of Japan’s omelette rice, where fluffy scrambled eggs cover the fried rice. If you are eager to try it out, mumokuteki Café is where that wish can come true. A specially made Yuba (tofu skin) is used to recreate the fluffy texture of scrambled eggs. Corn and pumpkin are mixed into the soy milk to increase the flavour and colour. The final product is utterly delicious. Even the meat-eaters love it!
You can also try their Miso Katsu (味噌カツ). The miso paste is perfect for the deep-fried cutlet made from tofu dregs and konjac. Because their tofu hamburger steak is also a must-eat, you can order one of their Gozen set menus, including Miso Katsu and tofu hamburger steak!
As for desserts, their milkshake and sundae are as creamy as the ones made from milk. The tiramisu is really good too!
You can refer to HERE for their menu beforehand. English notation is available under Japanese. Reservation through their website HERE is recommended as there might be a queue during typical lunch hours.
Note that the mumokuteki Café’s seasoning can be mild for some.
mumokuteki Cafe’s Business Hours and Access Information
- mumokuteki Café is open from:
- 11:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays
- 11:30 am to 6:30 pm on weekends and public holidays
- It doesn’t open on Wednesdays.
- The cafe is just a 5-minute walk from Hankyu’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (京都河原町駅) or a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Subway’s Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (京都市役所前駅).
Where to Find the Vegan-Friendly Restaurants Around Gion
Gion, a district in Kyoto where the elegant Geishas and Maikos live, is the most-visited spot in Japan’s ancient capital. The good news is there are a couple of vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants in Gion, allowing you to visit Gion anytime without needing to worry about where to dine!
For more information, refer to our Vegan-Friendly Restaurants Around Gion article!
Discover Other Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Kyoto
Obviously, your visit to Kyoto wouldn’t just be around Kawaramachi, and the good news is the city has many other vegan-friendly restaurants. With various options available, no matter which cuisine you crave, you can find a restaurant serving delicious vegan or vegetarian dishes that satisfy your craving!
Refer to our Guide to Kyoto’s Vegan-Friendly Restaurants for more information!
